June 25, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
THE NEWS FROM RICHMOND.
RICHMOND, June 23. – Sixteen hundred Yankee prisoners arrived this evening from Winchester including 208 officers. We have nothing by the Central train this evening.
Telegraphic communication with Knoxville by the Western line has been re-established.
About a thousand negros were captured at Winchester; also a number of tories and leading Yankees.
It is reported that Suffolk was on yesterday abandoned and burned by the Yankees.
A letter from Gen. LEE to Gen. STUART compliments the latter on his skilful management of our troops in the battle of Brandy Station. Gen. LEE says that result of the action calls for grateful thanks to Almighty God, and is honorable alike to the officers and men who were engaged.’
(Later.)
RICHMOND, June 24. – We have reliable information that HOOKER has crossed the Potomac. Other news received indicates that the next battle will be fought in Maryland. There has been no important engagement since the affair at Middleburg.
Gov. LETCHER has issued a call to the citizens and others to assembly in the Capitol Square this evening, for the purpose of organizing to aid the regular troops in repelling any attack that may be contemplated against the capital. The call has been issued in consequence of information having been received that troops are being landed by the enemy at Brandon, on the James River, and at White House, on the York River, it is supposed for the purpose of advancing in this direction. There is no excitement here. Weather cloudy, with a prospect of heavy rain.
(The Latest.)
RICHMOND, June 24. – The train on the Central Railroad, which left the White House at 4 p.m., has brought no confirmation of the reported landing of the enemy at that place; but it is stated that a gunboat and two transports were at West Point on Tuesday. Troops were discovered by our pickets at nine o’clock yesterday morning, repairing the wharf.
The approaching nomination for decisions to Congress have here a deep interest. The want of men skilled in legislative precedent has seriously prejudiced the public interest. It is hoped that candidates (those who have had practice, in particular) whose labors are available to their constituents will be sent to Congress in preference to others, not in possession of this qualification. The country needs working business capacity in Congress, more than men of brilliant abilities.
LATEST FROM THE WEST.
OSYKA, June 23. – A courier just in reports that Colonel LYONS on Saturday evening captured near Clinton, La., a Yankee forage train, consisting of sixty-two wagons laden with commissary stores, and two hundred and eight mules, besides thirty Yankees and thirty-two negros. Five negro deserters and one Yankee prisoner arrived here this evening from Clinton. Private letters from New Orleans report terrible mortality amongst the Yankees there. All public and many private houses had been turned into hospitals.
JACKSON, June 24. – Several private letters received from Vicksburg, dated June 17th, say that the utmost feeling of confidence exists in their ability to resist any assault, and that our entire loss, including that in Wednesday’s fight, has been but 625. Among the killed are Col. GARRETT and Capt. GOULD, of the 20th Alabama. The shot from GRANTS’ batteries have never injured any one. Many go over the city and plunge into the river. Even the ladies come out at night to witness the bombardment, which is represented as being perfectly grand. All concur in the statement that the garrison is bountifully supplied with provisions. Full rations are still issued. Heavy firing began in that direction at 10 o’clock last night, and still continues this morning.
JACKSON, June 24. – Gen. TAYLOR had a skirmish with a small force of the enemy at Richmond, La., on the 17th. Heavy firing continues at Vicksburg.
Afternoon. – The firing at Vicksburg still continues. It is far heavier than any ever heard there before. Official despatches state that General CHALMERS sunk three transports below Memphis on the 20th, and disabled another.
FROM THE BORDER DIRECT.
MANASSAS GAP, BLUE RIDGE, June 20th, via STAUNTON, 23. – (To the Savannah Republican) – Lieut. Gen. EWELL holds the fords at Williamsport and Shepherdstown on the Potomac, and Boonsboro’ Gap in Maryland.
General JENKINS’ cavalry are reported to be at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, destroying the public property of every description. Gen. IMBODEN has occupied Cumberland, Md. He has cut the canal, tore up the railroad, destroyed the bridges, depots, government work shops and other property, and is still going on. Our cavalry is engaged in frequent skirmishing with the enemy in this vicinity, and three hundred Yankee prisoners have been captured.
Matters are progressing finely, all right in front and everywhere else.